Dremiel Byers to appear in Saturday Christmas parade

Dremiel Deshon Byers competes against Muminjon Abdullaev of Uzbekistan during the 120-kg Greco-Roman wrestling competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Byers will be a part of the annual Kings Mountain Christmas parade on Saturday. He will be featured with the Kings Mountain High School wrestling team. AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Associated Press

By Alicia Banks

Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 04:52 PM.

KINGS MOUNTAIN — A two-time Olympian is coming home this weekend.

Dremiel “Bam” Byers will walk in the annual Kings Mountain Christmas Parade Saturday. The Kings Mountain High School graduate competed in this year’s Summer Olympics, held in London, as a Greco-Roman wrestler.

He’ll be joined by athletes from the high school’s wrestling team during the parade.

“He’s a positive role model for our youth and that’s important today,” Kings Mountain Mayor Rick Murphrey said. “We’re so proud of him.”

Byers first appeared in Olympic competition four years ago during the Beijing Games, earning seventh place. And his accomplishments are vast. Byers is a 10-time U.S. National Champion and nine-time U.S. Armed Forces champion.

Murphrey will announce Saturday as “Dremiel Byers Day” in the city with a proclamation. The public is also invited to meet Byers at the former Old Battleground Grill building for a luncheon that afternoon.

Dremiel “Bam” Byers will walk in the annual Kings Mountain Christmas Parade Saturday. The Kings Mountain High School graduate competed in this year’s Summer Olympics, held in London, as a Greco-Roman wrestler.

He’ll be joined by athletes from the high school’s wrestling team during the parade.

“He’s a positive role model for our youth and that’s important today,” Kings Mountain Mayor Rick Murphrey said. “We’re so proud of him.”

Byers first appeared in Olympic competition four years ago during the Beijing Games, earning seventh place. And his accomplishments are vast. Byers is a 10-time U.S. National Champion and nine-time U.S. Armed Forces champion.

Murphrey will announce Saturday as “Dremiel Byers Day” in the city with a proclamation. The public is also invited to meet Byers at the former Old Battleground Grill building for a luncheon that afternoon.

Saturday marks Byers' first time back in Kings Mountain since the London Olympics. Despite falling short of a medal this year, the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program member is still a champion in the eyes of many.

“It’s not everyday you have an Olympian in your hometown,” said Ellis Noell, director of special events for the City of Kings Mountain. “We consider him a champion over here.”